Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Bongani Zungu has played down the notion he can’t play alongside Andile Jali and reserved special praise for Sphelele Mkhulise.
Zungu, 30, returned to Sundowns in the off-season after six seasons in Europe and there were murmurs of issues between himself and star performer Jali.
However, the towering midfielder says it’s all paper talk as they have played together before in the national team and there are more players pushing for spots in the line-up.
“I don’t understand because we played together even at Bafana during Shakes Mashaba’s time but obviously I spoke of depth at Sundowns so it’s not just Andile I’m competing with,” he told journalists at a Carling Black Label Cup event.
“I can say… Mkhulise, Sipho Mbule, Teboho Mokoena, who’s doing really well for the team, so it’s not just about myself and AJ, it’s about the team.
“We want to win, want to leave our mark, I want to leave a legacy of that man’s number eight [shirt], Hlompho and it’s not about me and AJ, it’s about the team.”
Having played in Portugal, France, and Scotland top-flight leagues during his spell abroad, Zungu admitted he’s been shocked by the progression of one of their academy products.
“Seeing Mkhulise, when I left here, he was so young, and seeing how he has grown as a player, it’s unbelievable,” Zungu said.
“We’ve got depth and I always tell the players in the dressing room that we can go as far as winning the Champions League if we focus and work hard together.”
